New gambling clinic opens in Greater Manchester

The NHS Gambling Service is opening a new clinic in Greater Manchester.

The facility at Salford Quays will reach out to thousands more people across the North West and surrounding areas dealing with a gambling addiction.

There be experts on hand to to give advise and deal with mental health issues.

In England around 224,000 adults (0.4% of the population) are classified as higher risk problem gamblers, with around two million (3.6%) classified as being “at risk” from developing a serious gambling problem.

However, fewer than three per cent of those affected currently receive treatment or support.

The NHS Northern Gambling Service first opened in September 2019.

The new North West of England clinic is part of commitments made in the NHS Long Term Plan to tackle gambling addiction.

In June 2019, NHS England announced it would be commissioning a network of new gambling addiction services for adults and children across the country, although the NHS Northern Gambling Service will only betreating adults initially.

People can get support through psychological therapies, addiction treatment programmes, mental health treatment, family therapy and peer support from those whose lives have already been adversely affected by gambling.

The service can also offer dedicated support to family membersand carers of those affected by problem gambling.